牋牋牋牋牋?Words: Amos Hanson; Music:
Gordon Bok
牋牋牋牋牋?
牋牋牋牋牋?A friend sent me these words a few years back.?The song was made by Amos Hanson of Orland, Maine about 1850 or 1860 and became quite popular along the Ocas.?It was collected in N. Blue Hill from Mrs. Emery Howard and her son Julian in 1932.?Both Sandy Ives and Dick Swain know the 'real' tune and more complete verses, but I didn't think to ask them in time.?This is my truncated version, then, with a tune of my own.
牋牋牋牋牋?You darlin' girls of Bagaduce who live along the shore
牋牋牋牋牋?Tis little do you think or know what sailors do endure
牋牋牋牋牋?Or if you did, you'd treat them with more respect than before
牋牋牋牋牋?You never would go with a land loper while sailors are ashore.
牋牋牋牋牋?Oh those Penobscot cowboys will tell you girls fine tales
牋牋牋牋牋?Of all the hardships they endure when they are in the cornfields
牋牋牋牋牋?They'll feed their?hens and punch their pigs and make their mothers roar
牋牋牋牋牋?While we like jovial hearted lads go to the Bay Chaleur.
牋牋牋牋牋?On board of the Schooner Fred Dunbar well found in fishing gear
牋牋牋牋牋?We crowded on our canvas for Green's Landing we did steer.
牋牋牋牋牋?When we arrived at anchor, the sun was setting low.
牋牋牋牋牋?'Twas there we shipped young Stinson and Captain Mood Thurlow.
牋牋牋牋牋?When we arrived at Port Musgrave we hauled in for our salt
牋牋牋牋牋?We took our little fiddle ashore to have a little waltz
牋牋牋牋牋?It was twelve of us when we started, our songs through the woods did roar
牋牋牋牋牋?When we arrive I was surprised I could not count but four.
牋牋牋牋牋?On the first day of September broad off Cape Mardeau
牋牋牋牋牋?We struck a squall from the south southeast which broke her boom in two.
牋牋牋牋牋?So gallantly she weathered it and it was fine to see
牋牋牋牋牋?Her walk to the windward with mainsail down bound out for Margaree.
牋牋牋牋牋?On the last day of September I will remember well
牋牋牋牋牋?What we poor sailors do endure no tongue can ever tell
牋牋牋牋牋?The wins grew strong, the seas grew rough in torrents fell the rain
牋牋牋牋牋?I never saw such a night as that I hope I shan't again.
牋牋牋牋牋?You darlin' girls of Bagaduce, the time is drawing nigh
牋牋牋牋牋?When you will see the Stars and Stripes from our main topsail fly
牋牋牋牋牋?Get ready, gallant lassies, put on your other gown
牋牋牋牋牋?For soon you'll see the Fred Dunbar come sailing up to town.
牋牋牋牋牋?And now our voyage is over and we are safe ashore
牋牋牋牋牋?With our pockets full of greenbacks that we抳e earned in the Bay Chaleur
牋牋牋牋牋?So merrily we'll dance and sing as we have done before
牋牋牋牋牋?And when our money is all spent we'll plow the old bay for more.
牋牋牋牋牋?
Schooner Fred Dunbar is recorded on Schooners
and is also in the songbook One to Sing, One to Haul